Abstract

MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES OF PHALERIA MACROCARPA

*Jeenu Joseph, Aleena Sajeev, Anaswara K., Libina Joseph and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Phaleria macrocarpa also known as mahkota dewa is a dense evergreen tree native to Indonesia and Malaysia and are flowering plants and belongs to the family Thymelaeaceae. P. macrocarpa has a long history as an essential medicinal herb, and extracts from the plant have been used a traditional medicine for years. Traditionally the plant has been used to reduce pain, stomach-ache, diarrhoea, tumour problems, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Given its growing importance in ethnomedicine, accurate identification and assessment including microscopical studies are essential to preventing adulteration.

Keywords: Phaleria macrocarpa, Ethnomedicinal uses, Morphological evaluation, Microscopic study, Powder microscopy.